"Years ago, I read somewhere of relating the three pilgrim festivals
to Psalms 22, 23 and 24. Since then I've made reference to it
on occasion but never really researched the connection. This year I
thought it might be a nice lesson for Shavuot to take the psalm
that represents it and see what it has to say to us."

"Psalm 23 is probably better known than almost any other psalm. Its
six short verses speak volumes about the care and comfort of the
good Shepherd."

Three times in the year shall all your males appear
before THE LORD your God in the place which he shall choose; in the Feast
of Unleavened Bread, in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of
Tabernacles and they shall not appear before the Lord empty. Every man
should give as he is able according to the blessing of the Lord your God
which he has given you" (Deuteronomy 16:16, 17).

Years ago, I read somewhere of relating the three pilgrim festivals to
Psalms 22, 23 and 24. Since then I've made reference to it on
occasion but never really researched the connection. This year I thought
it might be a nice lesson for Shavuot to take the psalm that represents
it and see what it has to say to us.

First, a little explanation as to why each of these psalms represents the
holiday that they do: It's very obvious that Psalm 22 is connected
with the sacrifice of the Messiah. It opens with the words that Yeshua
spoke while dying on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?" Some have suggested that Yeshua recited the entire 22nd Psalm
while hanging on the cross. Though we have no evidence that that is the
case, the majority of the Psalm is unquestionably a description of what
He was experiencing. The Scriptures clearly connect the atoning sacrifice
of Yeshua with the festival of Passover. "Purge out therefore the old
leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even
Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the
feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and
wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (I
Corinthians 5:7, 8).

Skipping over to Psalm 24, in the first verse we immediately see a
declaration of God's kingship: "The earth is the Lord's and
the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein." It goes
on to tell of those who may stand before the Lord on His holy mountain
because their hands and hearts are clean. The concluding verses proclaim
that the Lord of hosts is the King of glory. Kingship really is the theme
of Sukkot. It is the festival of the kingdom of God. "And it shall
come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came
against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King,
the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah
14:16).

Psalm 23 is probably better known than almost any other psalm. Its six
short verses speak volumes about the care and comfort of the good
Shepherd. It is the guidance of the Shepherd that links Psalm 23 to
Shavuot. Shavuot is the journey from Passover to Tabernacles. Shavuot
is the time of the giving of the Torah (God's instruction manual)
and the time of the coming of the Spirit (God's power generator). It
is the journey from our initial redemption to the fullness of the coming
kingdom of God. We travel under the shepherd's staff held in the hand
of Yeshua and with the tools He's given to us. On that journey our
Shepherd manifests His other attributes.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in
green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He
leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort
me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you
anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord forever." (Psalms 23:1-6)

"The Lord is my shepherd"(Adonai
Roi). The psalm opens with the picture of a very personal shepherd but
expands that vision to help us to see just how much is involved in tending
His flock.

"I shall not want" (Adonai Yireh -
The Lord sees/provides). Genesis 22:14 demonstrates that God saw the faith
of Abraham and Isaac and had also seen the upcoming need for a substitute;
therefore He prepared a ram to be offered up in place of Isaac.

"He makes me to lie down in green
pastures" (Adonai Machaseh - The Lord is my refuge).
Psalm 91:9 says that there is danger in this world, but in the Lord we have
a place of refuge like a sheltered and tranquil green meadow.

"He leads me beside the still waters"
(Adonai Shalom - The Lord is peace). Judges 6:24 shows the relief
that came to Gideon's heart after the Lord spoke peace to him. It was
like the difference between a quiet stream and turbulent rapids.

"He restores my soul" (Adonai
Rophecha - The Lord is your healer). Exodus 15:26 is a promise that if
we heed the Lord's instructions and do what is right before Him, He
will be our healer and the one who brings restoration to spirit, soul and
body.

"He leads me in paths of righteousness"
(Adonai Tzidkanu - The Lord is our righteousness). Jeremiah 23:6
says there is a soon coming king from the house of David who will make all
things right and it's the same shepherd we're following.

"For His name's sake" This Compiled
list is just a small number of His matchless names.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death" (Adonai M'chayeh - The Lord gives life). 1
Samuel 2:6 is Hannah's song of praise for the birth of Samuel,
exalting the Lord of life who triumphs over barrenness and death.

"I will fear no evil; for you are with
me" (Adonai Shammah - The Lord is there). Ezekiel 48:35
is the end of the prophet's description of the millennial Israel and
Jerusalem. Everything is as it ought to be because the Lord is there.

"Your rod and your staff they comfort me"
(Adonai Nissi - The Lord is my banner). Exodus 17:15 says the staff
of Moses was held up like a banner, defeating the Amalekites. We are
comforted by our shepherd's staff, the sign of His authority.

"You prepare a table for me in the presence of my
enemies" (Adonai Tzavot - The Lord of armies). Zechariah
8:7 is God's promise to return Israel from exile. The Lord of armies
will bless His people regardless of their enemies' opposition.

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs
over" (Adonai M'Kaddishchem - The Lord sanctifies
you). Exodus 31:13 exhorts Israel to keep the Sabbath. It, like the
anointing oil, sets them apart for special service to God.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life" (Adonai HaChesed - The Lord is
merciful). Psalm 130:7 reminds that there is plenty of mercy in the Lord;
enough to last longer than a lifetime.

"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever" (Adonai Goalecha - The Lord your redeemer).
Isaiah 44:24 says our God has made the entire universe and redeemed us so
we could enjoy it with Him forever!

Another name for the Lord is El Shaddai, which is sometimes
translated as, "the all-sufficient God." As we celebrate the festival of
Shavuot, let us remember that we are celebrating the God who has given us
everything we need for life and godliness. As we put our trust wholly in
Him we will see these great and precious promises unfolding along the
pathway of life's journey.

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Comments

Comments:

11:33 03May12 C Salaverry -
I always enjoy the Jewish perspective on the Bible. Keep up the
great work you are doing.